Shoppers are being urged to buy local and support small businesses in Wimborne as part of Small Business Saturday.

The national campaign returns for its 12th year to high streets and towns across the country on Saturday 7 December.

The antidote to the mass consumerism of Black Friday and shopping online, Small Business Saturday is all about celebrating independents and family-owned businesses.

“Wimborne is thriving and long may it continue,” said Simon Warren, co-owner of the independent East Street Deli.

“We often hear that the high street is dead, but due to the support of the Wimborne community and hard work from the local businesses – many of them made up of very small teams – this town is thriving.”

Local businesses have come together with the support of Wimborne BID to celebrate the day with promotions and offers that shoppers can take advantage of in the run up to Christmas, as well as special events in the town.

They’ll be holding a Christmas street party in Church Street with live music, beer and food provided by Oddfellows pub, Ten Bottles wine bar and Levantine restaurant.

At the other end of the town, East Street will be closed to traffic for a festive block party, where visitors can enjoy food and shopping at the many independent small businesses in the area.

Simon added: “This great town of ours is so lucky to have so many great, small, independent and passionately run businesses.

“Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate this by supporting these brilliant shops and services.”

Wimborne BID is asking locals to shout out their favourite businesses on socials, tagging #SmallBizSatUK.

They can also share the Wimborne BID Small Business Advent Calendar on Facebook and Instagram, where a local business will be revealed every day throughout December.

Fiona Harwood, chair of Wimborne BID, said: “Small, independent businesses are hugely important, not only to the economy but also the individuality of a town.

“Small Business Saturday is a great way for us all to celebrate and support the unique flavour they bring to Wimborne.”

• • smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com